The fourth instalment of this pretty nifty adult animated series based on the Mortal Kombat franchise, and arguably the least known.
This time around the plot is an origins tale for superstar Johnny Cage, somehow one of the most popular characters in the game franchise. Cage is a Hollywood action star and is trying to make a big splash with his latest action vehicle offering. After his costar Jennifer Grey (yes that Jennifer Grey) goes missing, Cage pops around to her place only to get tangled up in a battle with two mysterious women. This in turn starts to lead Cage down a dark path involving demons, scrolls, Gods, and monsters where it is revealed to him that his life and career has been a set up for some devious Netherrealm plot.
The big notable change for this fourth entry is again the art style. This time we are treated to a vivid, almost cell-shaded type of look with a heavy Miami Vice-esque neon sheen that we've seen utilised in many videogames. If you think of GTA: Vice City and that now overused retro synthwave sunset backdrop that became very popular in recent years (they actually use this in the credits), then you'll know what I'm talking about. There are also more regular animated sections with flashbacks and as the story unfolds things do get darker and less hyper 80's. Overall the visuals are very impressive and enjoyable much like the previous three entries.
Plot wise things start off a bit slow in my opinion. At first I was getting a little bored as things played out. The whole usual schtick of Johnny Cage the superstar with him having a massive ego whilst being goofy wasn't of much interest. I have never really been interested in Cage as a character. In typical 80's action fest fashion Cage gets a nerdy sidekick to add some normalcy and comedic relief to proceedings which is okay...I guess, nothing to shout about. The story is also narrated by Cage throughout in a very Deadpool/Ryan Reynolds-type fashion which feels more like copying more than anything.
Admittedly as the plot thickened I did find myself getting more engaged. Not that it was anything totally original or anything but it did slowly get my attention. I did like the few plot twists as various characters Cage knows turn out to be demons trying to lure him to his bloody fate; and I can't deny the entire finale involving the sacrifice and inevitable grand fisticuffs was good fun.
Speaking of fisticuffs, blood and gore, is there any this time around? Does this entry keep up with the claret spreading? Yes, yes it does, although the majority of it doesn't really kick in until the second half. The first half of this movie feels much more like a homage to your corny 80's action-hero vehicles of yore. You know the stuff, your typical Mel Gibson/Eddie Murphy/Kurt Russell/Dolph Lundgren affairs. But as the movie slowly progresses it starts to become more of what you would expect, a much darker with horror aspects throughout. Indeed, there is also a nice sinister BDSM vibe going on towards the finale which I did enjoy muchly (he says with a cheeky smile across his face). I should point out, the actual final fight between Cage and Shinnok was cheesy as hell, but it was also meant to be like that.
What can I say about this? It's a super turbo homage to everything 80's in the action genre, so much so it's almost vomit-inducing. The mullet Cage sports, his huge earrings, the vehicles, the snappy smart-ass dialogue, the gaudy visuals, right down to the Kenny Loggins-esque end credits soundtrack. All of this was obviously a deliberate choice and whilst it undoubtedly completes what it set out to do 100%, at this point in time the whole 80's homage angle is a tad tired. This particular direction has been well and truly miked. I have enjoyed all of these animated flicks and this last one is probably at the bottom of the list to be honest. Whilst it was solid it just wasn't as engaging as the previous three, at least not until the finale, but before that this just kinda felt like slick videogame cutscenes stitched together. But yeah, 80's overdose dude!
5.5/10
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